Brandon Scherff Bio
Brandon Scherff (born December 26, 1991, in Denison, Iowa) is an American former professional football guard who played ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, where he became a unanimous All-American in 2014 and won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior lineman. Selected fifth overall by the Washington Redskins in the 2015 NFL Draft, Scherff earned five Pro Bowl selections and one first-team All-Pro nod before finishing his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Early Life and Background
Brandon Scherff grew up in Denison, Iowa, and attended Denison High School, where he developed into one of the most decorated multi-sport athletes in the state. As a senior, he earned first-team all-state honors on offense after playing quarterback as a sophomore and earning second-team all-state recognition on defense as a junior. He also starred on the basketball court, leading the state in rebounds during his senior season, and played baseball, helping his team reach the state tournament as a junior.
Scherff was a standout track and field athlete as well, competing in the shot put and discus. He won two state titles in the shot put and set a school record with a career-best throw of 18.77 meters at the 2010 Drake Relays. Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was ranked the No. 44 offensive tackle prospect in 2010 and chose Iowa over offers from Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, and Nebraska.
Path to American Football
After redshirting his first year at Iowa, Scherff worked his way into the Hawkeyes’ starting lineup at left guard before replacing Riley Reiff at left tackle the following season. A broken fibula and dislocated ankle cut that sophomore campaign short, but he returned healthy and became one of the most dominant offensive linemen in college football. Despite projections as a likely first-round pick, he chose to return for his senior season and finished his college career with the Outland Trophy and unanimous All-American honors.
Brandon Scherff Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
The Washington Redskins selected Scherff fifth overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, making him the first Iowa player drafted in the top ten since Robert Gallery in 2004. He signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $21.21 million contract and was moved from right tackle to right guard before the regular season, where offensive line coach Bill Callahan named him the starter. Scherff started all 16 regular season games, helped Washington win the NFC East at 9–7, and earned PFWA All-Rookie Team recognition.
In his second season, Scherff again started every regular season game and built a strong reputation for handling bull rushes and protecting the pocket. He started his first postseason game in January 2016 as Washington was routed by the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round.
Washington Redskins / Football Team Breakthrough (2017–2020)
Scherff earned his first Pro Bowl nod after the 2016 season and added a second the following year, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier interior linemen. The Redskins picked up his fifth-year option in April 2018, though a torn pectoral ended his season in November. He returned in 2019 to earn a third Pro Bowl selection before elbow and shoulder injuries again sent him to injured reserve.
Heading into 2020, Washington placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Scherff, and he agreed to the deal in April. Despite a midseason MCL sprain that sent him to injured reserve in September, he bounced back to earn a fourth Pro Bowl selection. He was also named first-team All-Pro for 2020, becoming the first Washington player to earn the honor since punter Matt Turk in 1996, and was ranked 98th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021 list.
Final Washington Years (2021)
Washington placed a second non-exclusive franchise tag on Scherff in March 2021, worth $18 million, which he signed shortly after. He battled injuries and two stints on the team’s COVID-19 reserve list during the season, including a second MCL sprain in Week 4 and a December placement on the reserve list that cost him games against Philadelphia and Dallas.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2022–2024)
On March 16, 2022, Scherff signed a three-year, $49.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he took over as the starting right guard. He played and started all 17 regular season games in 2022, then played through an abdomen injury during Jacksonville’s 2022–23 playoff run that included a Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers and a Divisional Round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Scherff continued as the Jaguars’ starting right guard for all 17 games in both 2023 and 2024, providing veteran leadership on the offensive line throughout his Jacksonville tenure.
Driving Style and Strengths
Scherff was widely regarded as a power-oriented guard who excelled at absorbing bull rushes and controlling defenders at the point of attack. His ability to anchor against bigger interior defenders made him an ideal fit at right guard, where his strength could be maximized in a smaller area. He developed strong on-field chemistry with offensive line coaches and quarterbacks throughout his career, and his consistency earned him All-Pro recognition in 2020.
Notable Events and Milestones
Scherff’s career featured multiple milestones, including five Pro Bowl selections (2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021) and a first-team All-Pro nod in 2020. He played 140 regular season games and started all 140 of them, an extraordinary durability mark for an interior lineman. He also helped Jacksonville reach the postseason in 2022 and played in a Wild Card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Brandon Scherff Career Wins
Over his ten NFL seasons, Brandon Scherff played 140 games with 140 starts, earning five Pro Bowl selections and one first-team All-Pro selection. He helped lead teams to multiple division titles and playoff appearances, establishing himself as one of the most consistent guards of his era.
Washington Highlights
During his seven seasons in Washington, Scherff started 96 regular season games and earned four of his five Pro Bowl nods with the franchise. He helped the Redskins win the NFC East in 2015 and started his first postseason game in January 2016. His 2020 first-team All-Pro season was the crown jewel of his Washington tenure, and he added a fifth Pro Bowl in 2021 before departing in free agency.
Jacksonville Highlights
In three seasons with the Jaguars, Scherff started all 51 regular season games he appeared in and provided steady leadership on a young offensive line. He was a key contributor to Jacksonville’s 2022 playoff push, which included a Wild Card upset of the Los Angeles Chargers. His veteran presence helped stabilize the right guard position for a developing Jaguars team.
Brandon Scherff Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Brandon Scherff was raised in Denison, Iowa, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete at Denison High School. His high school coach was Dave Wiebers, who helped guide his early development as a two-way lineman and multi-sport standout.
Personal Life
Scherff is a lifelong Lutheran and has regularly contributed autographed memorabilia to fundraisers for his Lutheran grade school. He announced his retirement from the NFL in August 2025, closing the book on a ten-year professional career that began in 2015.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marked a new chapter for Brandon Scherff, one that began without him on an active roster. After starting every game across the 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Scherff revealed in an interview on August 14, 2025, that he had retired from professional football. His decision ended a ten-year career in which he started all 140 regular season games he played, an exceptional durability record for an interior lineman.
Across his career, Scherff’s consistency, power, and leadership at right guard were hallmarks of his game. He helped lead the Redskins/Football Team to the NFC East title in 2015 and guided the Jaguars to the postseason in 2022, including a Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers. His five Pro Bowl selections and one first-team All-Pro nod placed him among the most decorated guards of his era.
Scherff’s retirement left a lasting legacy in both Washington and Jacksonville, where he served as a veteran presence in the locker room and a tone-setter on the offensive line. While he will not take the field in 2025, his reputation as one of the league’s most reliable interior linemen ensures his impact will be felt well beyond his playing days.